With the holidays fast approaching, I’d like to share with you two of my favorite recipes. Quiche Lorraine and Christmas Spice Cookies.

Quiche is a family favorite for all of our holiday breakfasts. I love it because it saves me time on the morning of the holiday. They’re great for a crowd and most of the work can be done a day or two ahead. And they make great leftovers, so I don’t have to cook the next day!

The spice cookies have become a Christmas tradition in our house since the kids were little. This recipe is terrific if you have small children. They can have fun cutting out the shapes and decorating them with currents and nuts. The dough does not have to be refrigerated and can be rolled out over and over without becoming tough. They also improve over time as the cookies actually soften and the spices permeate. And let’s not forget the yummy spiced aroma as the cookies bake, adding to the festive ambiance of Christmas.

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add remaining ingredients and knead until the dough is smooth. Roll out to ¼ inch thickness and cut into desired shapes (personal favorites: teddy bears, gingermen, xmas trees, stars, bells, hearts, angels, and sleighs). Use currents for eyes, buttons, xmas tree ornaments, etc.. Use nuts as your imagination dictates. Brush with an egg wash for shine.

Bake at 325 for 8-10 min.

Personally, I love to decorate my hearts with a blanched whole or sliced almond in the center like a tulip with a slivered almond on each side as leaves, and 3 currents in an arc over the center nut to look like stamens.